This Blog creates a forum where you can discuss SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Shit Business is a serious Business!

Earlier in the week I made a call at an interesting place-the Lagos- Ibadan Expressway office of DMT Mobile Toilets Limited -on behave of a not for profit organisation that I happen to be on her board. The mission was to make an enquiry about the prospect of working with them to execute one of our programmes scheduled to kick-off in two Nigerian states next year (God willing).

It was not until then I better appreciated the business and social entrepreneurial acumen of Nigeria’s beloveth Isaac Durojaiye a.k.a OTUNBA GADAFFI, the man who has made a difference in the improvement of public health and social transformation by providing job opportunities and better sanitation through his mobile toilets enterprise.

Sometimes, some things we neglect, perhaps despise could be potentially rewarding ventures. That reminds me; a few hours ago I listened to one of my favourite tapes, a lecture delivered by a respected People and Organisations development guru. He jokingly said, sometimes the right things are directly the opposite of what the crowds do.

I think I can better infer some sense from that statement looking at the success story of DMT Mobile Toilets, where Shit business is truly a serious business.

The Fast moving multi-million Naira ‘agbe po’, shit carrier Venture of OTUNBA GADAFFI is not only creating a ‘modest’ source of sustenance for the Otunba alone, but scores of his direct and indirect employees, including an eloquent customer service representative who professionally attended to my inquiry as I overheard the Otunba talk with his banker who brought a charismas card for him. Not surprising, the Otunba exchange the gesture by giving the banker two DMT charismas cards, one personal and the other for the staff of his branch.

Shit as you drive! Even on the Third Mainland.

High-level hygiene and sanitation!

DMT has a not for profit arm that is committed to giving free toilets to schools and unemployed women in order to promote better hygiene, health and empowering women in the society.

Otunba Gadaffi has won a good number of laurels from reputable organisations at home and abroad to commend what a lot of people see as his extra-ordinary entrepreneurial acumen and contributions to the society

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

The richest 2% of adults in the world own more than half of all household wealth, according to a new study by a United Nations research institute.

The report, from the World Institute for Development Economics Research at the UN University, says that the poorer half of the world's population own barely 1% of global wealth.

There have of course been many studies of worldwide inequality.

But what is new about this report, the authors say, is its coverage.

It deals with all countries in the world - either actual data or estimates based on statistical analysis - and it deals with wealth, where most previous research has looked at income.

What they mean by wealth in this study is what people own, less what they owe - their debts. The assets include land, buildings, animals and financial assets.

Different assets

The analysis shows, as have many other less comprehensive studies, striking divergences in wealth between countries.

Wealth is heavily concentrated in North America, Europe and some countries in the Asia Pacific region, such as Japan and Australia.

In richer nations, landowners can afford not to farm their properties

These countries account for 90% of household wealth.

The study also finds that inequality is sharper in wealth than in annual income.

And it uncovers some striking differences in the types of assets that dominate in different countries.

In less developed nations, land and farm assets are more important, reflecting the greater importance of agriculture in those economies.

In addition, the report says the weighting is the result of "immature" financial institutions, which make it much harder for people to have savings accounts or shares.

In contrast, some citizens of the rich countries have more debt than assets - making them, the report says, among the poorest in the world in terms of household wealth.

However, they are presumably better off in terms of what they consume than many people in developing countries.

Comprehensive

The survey is based on data for the year 2000. The authors say a more recent year would have involved more gaps in the data. As it is, many figures - especially for developing countries - have had to be estimated.

Many the world's poorer children will have very little to look forward to

Nonetheless, the authors say it is the most comprehensive study of personal wealth ever undertaken.

Why does it matter? Because wealth serves as insurance against times when income tends to fall, such as unemployment, sickness or old age.

It is also a source of finance for small businesses, a particularly important point since it is the countries with lower levels of personal wealth which also tend to have weaker financial systems without the funds, ability or inclination to lend to small firms.

The report is not about policy recommendations.

But one of the authors, Professor Anthony Shorrocks, says it does draw attention to the importance of enhancing banking systems in developing countries to help generate the funds for business investment.

About Me

Ibikunle is a strategic analytical thinker endowed with extreme passion for creating solutions.He holds a degree in Political Science and an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School Venture in Management Programme(VIMP) '05.Ibikunle has strong respect for diversity.
He has experience in Business, Public service and Consulting.
He is a Grand Master Coach in business,brands,sales and career.
Ibikunle is a recipient of various Commendations and Awards including a NAOWAIS, 35 Battalion Award of Merit and a State Government Merit Award.He has founded and co-founded a number of business enterprises(with healthy cash flows) and not-for-profit initiatives.His professional affiliations include the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers.